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Advice on 30D with heavy lenses (strap, harness advice)

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Mike Crowe

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I use the 30D with a couple of heavy lenses and never unwrapped the strap that came with it (not adequate). I’m currently using a wider quick release neck strap that isn’t much better though.

This has been bugging me for a while but I just spent eight hours with the strap I’m using and just can’t deal with it anymore. It pulls on my neck, it’s not wide enough, it slides, and basically feels like a string around my neck that is just uncomfortable and isn’t working out.

Ultimately what I would like is something that:

A:Will be comfortable to wear for an extended period of time using a 3.5lb lens.

B:Strength-"Security" (more than one strap): Will be evident to a potential thief that just snapping a strap and grabbing my equipment wouldn’t be advised…

C:There are many times that I’d like to conceal it. A shoulder strap would allow me to tuck the camera under a jacket so I'm asking your thoughts on that.

Honestly, I'm looking for the best types of straps/harnesses…not a lecture on “don’t go out at night”.

Thanks!
 
A Toploader bag. Whether in an urban or rural setting, for me it's just right.

Slung across the torso, it make the weight a non-issue. Swing it to the hiney area while walking, swing it forward for access.
Leaving the top partially zippered, it's a quick access.
Bag offers protection from knocks when climbing to a vantage.
Keeps gear out of sight (obviously a camera bag, but still. . . )

Deep enough for a 24-70 with hood mounted, or a 70-200/100-400 with hood reversed (or left loose in the bottom of bag, reversed).
Pocket avail. for filters, batteries, cards, etc.
Takes sliplock lens cases or aux. pouches.

The new sling packs also offer this convenience and protection, but as I'm aware to date none accommodate longer lenses mounted.

--
...Bob, NYC

http://www.pbase.com/btullis

You'll have to ignore the gallery's collection of bad compositions, improper exposures, and amateurish post processing. ;)

 
Could you please tell me what the "hiney" area is. If you could supply some photographs of the "hiney" area it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hmmm. I've already submitted the paperwork for my wife's approval.

So you're saying I should cancel that request? ;)

--
...Bob, NYC

http://www.pbase.com/btullis

You'll have to ignore the gallery's collection of bad compositions, improper exposures, and amateurish post processing. ;)

 
Bob Tullis said:
A Toploader bag. Whether in an urban or rural setting, for me
it's just right.
Click to expand...
I agree .. you will need the larger 75AW bag. You can use a chest harness or shoulder strap. I've used it for extreme conditions such as shooting skiing where I know only one lens and body will be used.

Getting quick access to your gear is a pain as the top closes in, not out which is a security feature to prevent you dropping your camera when loading or unloading. But in practice it makes it very difficult to wear the bag and access the main compartment at the same time.

Lowepro quality has dropped in the past few years so don't expect the same bulletproof bags as in the past .. I broke a clip on day one by simply tightening the side strap that holds their lens cases.

--

They call me 'minor detail' .. I keep the record straight. I have huge man hands and can comfortably hold a Rebel XT between my thumb & forefinger.
 
I've worked at a lot of newspapers (as a writer, not a photog), and I've seen many news photographers who used guitar straps on their cameras. You might look into that as one possibility.
--
~ Peano
 
Dale,

Thanks for the link. I have a few questions if you don’t mind though.

Would you purchase the UPstrap today if you had it to do over again? I’ve purchased related items in the past only to discover something else that would have worked out much better.

How wide is the pad on the SLR-QR? Sorry if I missed it but I didn’t see the dimensions on their website.

Does the SLR-QR have the quick release on both ends? One picture indicates that it does…
http://upstrap-pro.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=QR

but another suggests that it doesn’t:
http://www.upstrap-pro.com/straps

Thanks
Dale Garman said:
I just got an upstrap which is designed to use on the shoulder (it
doesn't slip off) which relieves the tension of cameras around the
neck.

http://www.upstrap-pro.com/

--
http://www.pbase.com/gods_creation
Click to expand...
 
The toploader 75 would hold a 30D with grip. As to Lowepro quality, in the dealing I had with them via Maury Cohen in December, if he is an example of the type of individual that works for Lowepro then I would have no problem whatsoever in purchasing a Lowepro product. He was attentive to my needs and really helped me out. I purchased the toploader 75 last fall and the quality is first class. Check out this site for the best prices I have found:

http://stores.ebay.com/photococan_Lowepro-Trekking-Series_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQftidZ2QQtZkm

I don't see it listed right now, but if you email them they might have one.
 
I have Lowepro's Voyager-C strap with QR. It is neoprene and rated for heavy lenses which I carry frequently without any problems so far. I've had the strap for 1 year now and use it daily. Hope this helps.
 
I have the Lowepro 75AW toploader bag with the accessory vest. I purchased it for two major reasons:

1) Tired unto death of hanging a heavy lens around my neck and having to use one hand constantly to keep it from banging against my belly. I put the camera strap around my neck and the camera/lens in the toploader. The camera is available for instant use, and the vest puts the weight on my shoulders/waist much better than the strap alone. I can use it with my Sigma 80-400 OS, 3.6 lb. and 7.5 in. long. The camera and lens fit in the bag even with the lens hood on, but the bag will not close at the top. With the hood reversed the bag will close.

2) Difficulties in changing lenses. Yes, I’ve seen those folks who can change lenses while trotting along to keep up with a celebrity AND chew gum at the same time. Not me. With a normal camera bag I need to find a place to sit down and it’s slow, with knee balancing and some danger of falling lenses from my innate klutziness. With the toploader I can easily change lenses while still standing. I’ve tried it while walking, but I tend to run into things.

I can also carry several additional lenses and my 580EX flash unit, but I usually pare down to just what I expect to use on a particular trip – say the Sigma 10-20, Sigma 17-70, Sigma 80-400, and Tamron 90 macro, possibly with the 580EX flash unit. In the bag side and front compartments I’ll have my filter case, lens cleaning kit, spare battery, etc. (AND the 30D instruction manual - don't leave home without it!).
This is my favorite bag at the moment, but I’m still looking!

--
BJCP National
 
Dennis,

I’m seriously considering the 75 so I’m curious as to if you have first hand experience on this (not saying you don’t—just asking). I’ve checked the measurements and on paper it should fit but it’s close (and possibly too tight to be practical). It would be great to hear opinions from those using the 30D with the battery pack in the 75 AW.

The problem you had was obviously resolved to your satisfaction but do you mind if I ask what it was?

Thanks for the link.
Dennis Unverferth said:
The toploader 75 would hold a 30D with grip. As to Lowepro
quality, in the dealing I had with them via Maury Cohen in
December, if he is an example of the type of individual that works
for Lowepro then I would have no problem whatsoever in purchasing a
Lowepro product. He was attentive to my needs and really helped me
out. I purchased the toploader 75 last fall and the quality is
first class. Check out this site for the best prices I have found:

http://stores.ebay.com/photococan_Lowepro-Trekking-Series_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQftidZ2QQtZkm

I don't see it listed right now, but if you email them they might
have one.
Click to expand...
 
You may look at Hama Neoprine Camera Strap. I use one with 30D & 100-400 lens. It is non-slip and 2 inch at the widest. I feel comfortable with it even when walking on rough ground. However, I usually carry Lowepro AW200 and whenever I am not actually taking pictures, I put the camera+lens in the bag.
--
Gautam
 
I use an Optek strap which has quick release clips about 9" from the point where they attach to the body. There are also swivels so you don't have to keep untwisting the strap. The remainder of the strap has non-slip treatment on one side so it doesn't slip off the shoulder. This works well even with a 400/5.6 on a 20D body. I also have found that the strap for my notebook can be attached to the links. This a) makes the strap long enough to go accross my body to the opposite shoulder like a messenger bag, so it doesn't fall off. b) the strap is wide and spreads the weight very well. c) makes it harder for someone to grab the camera.

Also I can quickly convert the strap back as it was originally when desired. FWIW I really only carry the camera like this when I need it ready for use, the rest of the time it's in a bag.
 
As far as a strap goes, I really like my Op-tech Pro Loop strap:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=118283&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

It is very comfortable, even when I'm using my 70-200mm 2.8L (which is heavy). There are a lot of posts about it in these forums (that's how I learned about it. They also make a very comfortable bag straps. Both really distribute the weight well and have a little bit of give.

As for bags and the like, I just bought a C580 top-loading holster from Kinesis:

http://www.kgear.com/c/

I'm really impressed with its quality and Kinesis a complete system that offers integration with Op-tech's quick release system.
 
Mike Crowe said:
Dennis,

I’m seriously considering the 75 so I’m curious as to if you have
first hand experience on this (not saying you don’t—just asking).
I’ve checked the measurements and on paper it should fit but it’s
close (and possibly too tight to be practical). It would be great
to hear opinions from those using the 30D with the battery pack in
the 75 AW.
Click to expand...
the 75AW comfortably holds the 5D w/grip, the 30D would be fine as well.

--
Regards,

Henry
 
Mike Crowe said:
I use the 30D with a couple of heavy lenses and never unwrapped the
strap that came with it (not adequate). I’m currently using a wider
quick release neck strap that isn’t much better though.
Click to expand...
I don't take so much stress about heavy lenses and x0D.

I normally carry heavy lenses from that lens and keep camera hanging behind that lens and that's it.

Heavy lenses haven't been a problem to carry even on a Galapagos where I had to walk in "bad" terrain with me lenses a lot.

--
Galapagos/Ecuador, Thailand, Lightnings, Moon, Nature:
http://www.petrilopia.net/
http://www.pbase.com/whig/
 
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